TENANTS caught storing or selling illegal drugs could face eviction under a new clampdown by Flintshire council.

Council house residents who behave themselves could also receive priority for any wide-scale improvement works, under new proposals to help tackle anti-social behaviour.

The plans, as put forward by Flintshire’s Community Services unit, will be discussed by councillors on Tuesday.

The report reads: “(We) recognise the misery that can be caused by the use of illegal drugs in our communities.

“We can identify the links to crime and disorder and the subsequent impact on our local economy, and the increased pressure that illegal drugs can place on public services.

“The Authority acknowledges the crucial role it can play in taking a firm stance against those who unlawfully benefit through the illegal cultivation, distribution, sale and supply of illegal drugs.

“The policy proposes a much firmer stance on those who benefit from the proceeds of illegal drugs whether this is by cultivation, storage or selling of drugs.

“The council recognises that social housing is a precious resource and it is opposed to its premises being used by those who seek to benefit from illegal drugs.

“As such where a tenant or a member of their household is convicted of using a Flintshire County Council property for the cultivation, storage or selling of illegal drugs, the Authority, having regard to the individual circumstances of the case, will usually consider possession of the property as the most appropriate response.”

Other initiatives will include a new witness support service that will operate outside of normal office hours to give residents the chance to report instances of anti-social behaviour.

It’s also planned that tenants who breach their tenancy agreement will have to wait longer for routine improvements.

“(We) recognise the frustrations felt by many residents who witness some tenants repeatedly breaching the terms of their tenancy agreement, and causing nuisance and annoyance to others.

“When these tenants are witnessed having new bathrooms, or kitchens, sometimes ahead of those tenants who have an impeccable tenancy record, it is understandable to most people why frustrations occur.

“The council has a duty however to meet its repairing obligations and to invest in its stock which are assets of the council.

“However, the draft policy puts forward a proposal to increase priority for planned improvement works for those tenants with clear tenancy records, whilst reducing priority for those tenants with a history of serious or persistent anti-social behaviour.”